Caroline Lucas and the Greens have been celebrating the "strength and diversity" of the lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) community in the city with the first Green-led council in the UK at today's Pride festival in Brighton and Hove.

National LGBT Greens website

http://www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/

Leading Greens showed their support on the Pride parade alongside Caroline including the Deputy Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council Amy Kennedy; human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell; the Southeast's Green Member of the European Parliament Keith Taylor and Green Member of the Scottish Parliament Patrick Harvey, as well as several Green city councillors.

The theme of this year's Pride is 'Out of this World' and leading Greens joined the parade on a float carrying a giant earth to symbolise the importance of protecting our planet and its natural resources.

Green Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council Bill Randall said, "The Green Party, which works closely with the LGBT community across Brighton and Hove, sees Pride as a defining moment in the Brighton and Hove calendar.

"It gives the LGBT community the opportunity to celebrate its strength and diversity and the whole city the opportunity to celebrate the enormous contribution the LGBT community makes to the extraordinary place where we all live.

"Our thanks go to the organisers, the police, the fire service, council staff and all the other people who work so hard to make it a day when people can celebrate in safety and have a terrific time."

Green councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, National Chair of the LGBT Greens said, "One of our top three priorities for the city is creating a more equal Brighton and Hove and we have already used the first weeks as the first Green-run Council to speak out against prejudice.

"Central to that commitment is our work with the LGBT community and campaigning for LGBT equality.

"On behalf of LGBT Greens, can I take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and sustainable Pride."

Notes

For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.